The Faribault Falcons girls basketball team defeated the Winona Winhawks 53-49 in an exciting Big Nine Conference game Friday night in Winona.   It was a sweep for the Falcons with their freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams all collecting wins against a Winona program that has been one of the state's elite in recent years.  Two freshmen were among the top scorers for Faribault in what is a sign of things to come.

Head Coach Bill Bardal has been saying all season fans need to be patient because of that youth.  Freshmen Olivia Bauer and Evvy Vettrus scored 16 and 14 points respectively and Van Ryn added 14 for Faribault.  They were all Faribault State Farm Insurance agents Faribault players of the game along with sophomore Bennett Wolf.  I mentioned during the broadcast on POWER 96 Friday night every player who hit the hardwood played well for the Falcons.

Faribault was playing without their junior post 6'0 Zoe Fronk again last night.  Fronk has been out since turning her ankle a couple weeks ago.  Before the injury she was averaging double digit rebounds each game.  In her absence Wolff has reminded me of her dad, who was money on the glass for the Falcons in the mid 90's.  She grabs the ball with both hands typically and doesn't try to tap the ball to a teammate or herself.

The Falcons jumped out to a 15-8 lead and forced 14 turnovers from Winona early.  At that point Van Ryn got into some foul trouble and had to come off the floor.  Faribault's offense was not able to handle her absence and Winona took a lead in the first half before Van Ryn returned to the lineup. The Falcons closed the half on a 12-3 run and led 27-23 at the half.

Faribault took a 13 point lead in the second half before Winona cut the margin to a single possession game with just over three minutes to go.  The Falcons were called for fouls virtually ever trip down the floor which helped the Winhawks get back into the game.  Winona finished 13 of 24 from the free throw line and Faribault was 13 of 22.

The Winhawks were led by sophomore 5'10 Phoenix Matthees with 14 points.  Matthees was 8 of 13 from the free throw line, 7 of 10 in the second half.  Senior 5'7 Brittin Winter had 13 points for Winona.

The Winhawks finished the game with 23 turnovers and Faribault had 13 points off those turnovers while the Falcons had 15 turnovers and Winona scored 8 points off of those making the differential 5 points in favor of Faribault and they won by 4 points.

It was the sixth straight loss for Winona dropping them to 3-8 overall and 2-6 overall.  The Falcons are 3-7 overall, 3-4 in the Big 9.

Bauer and Vettrus joined Coach Bardal at KFC for the Faribault Coaches Show and both feel they can get to the state tournament in volleyball and basketball by the time they are seniors.  The freshmen will probably change their minds multiple times by their senior season but Vettrus is thinking about becoming a chiropractor and Bauer a veterinarian.

The Winhawks are at Mankato East Saturday night while Faribault hosts Owatonna Tuesday.

Other girls basketball scores from Friday:

  • Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton 59  Bethlehem Academy 38
  • Austin 71  Rochester Century 30
  • Rochester Mayo 57  Northfield 50
  • Mankato East 51  Albert Lea 25
  • Goodhue 50  Dover-Eyota 35
  • Kasson-Mantorville 85  Christ Household of Faith 35
  • Cannon Falls 68  Leroy-Ostrander 59
  • Grand Meadow 62  Southland 59  (OT)
  • Tri-City United 55  Jordan 44
  • Hayfield 51  Triton 40
  • Lake City 73  Lewiston-Altura 37
  • Eastview 63  Apple Valley 61
  • Prior Lake 73  Lakeville South 57
  • Waterville-Elysian-Morristown 45  Blue Earth Area 44
  • Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial 71  Maple River 55
  • Shakopee 58  Burnsville 57
  • Sibley East 51  LeSeuer-Henderson 45
  • Houston 72  Alden-Conger/Glenville-Emmons 61
  • Blooming Prairie 60  Chatfield 47

Faribault Coaches Show 1-5 From KFC in Faribault

Part 1

Part 2

Essential Basketball Gear for Traction. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
Essential Basketball Gear for Traction. Photo by Gordy Kosfeld
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